Non-condensing exhaust system

ABSTRACT

An exhaust system for relatively cooled gases. The exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe and a heater. The exhaust pipe is adapted to contain a flow of cold exhaust gas and the heater is adapted to heat the flow of cold exhaust gas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to exhaust systems and inparticular to exhaust systems for relatively cold exhaust gases.

BACKGROUND

Exhaust systems that expel cold exhaust gases are susceptible to theproduction of condensation. An example of a system that produces coldexhaust fumes is a heat exchange system. In a heat exchanger system,thermal energy is transferred between a fluid like LN₂ in a firstthermally conductive container and a working fluid in a second thermallyconductive container. The LN₂ when placed in the confined space of athermally conductive container of a heat exchanger will turn into gas(GN₂) that is expelled as an exhaust flow. As a result of the cold GN₂exhaust flow, pipes that direct the exhaust flow can freeze and theformation of condensation will occur. This results in moistureaccumulating in areas next to the system expelling the cold exhaust gas.

In the past, the moisture problem has been addressed by insulating coldexhaust pipes. However, the insulation needed to wrap the pipe isexpensive. Moreover, the insulation can takes up a lot of room. Forexample, a thickness of insulation of 6 inches or more is common. Thisis an issue when the space in limited or the system producing theexhaust is portable. Moreover, another problem associated withinsulation is that over time mold will develop in and on the insulationcreating a health concern. If mold develops, the insulation will have tobe replaced.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, there is a need in the art fora method of effectively in inexpensively dealing with the effects ofcold exhaust gas through an exhaust pipe.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed byembodiments of the present invention and will be understood by readingand studying the following specification.

In one embodiment an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust systemincludes an exhaust pipe and a heater. The exhaust pipe is adapted tocontain a flow of cold exhaust gas and the heater is adapted to heat theflow of cold exhaust gas.

In another embodiment, a method of preventing condensation on an exhaustpipe having cooled exhaust flowing there through is provided. The methodcomprises heating the exhaust pipe with a heater embedded with theexhaust pipe.

In yet another embodiment, a method of forming an exhaust system isprovided. The method comprises integrating a heater with an exhaust pipethat is adapted to contain a cold exhaust flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more easily understood and furtheradvantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered inview of the description of the preferred embodiments and the followingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exhausting system of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing of a cold exhaustflow of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing of oneembodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features arenot drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevantto the present invention. Reference characters denote like elementsthroughout Figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions maybe practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present invention is defined only by the claims andequivalents thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of processing theflow of cold exhaust through an exhaust pipe to prevent or at leastreduce the formation of condensation on the exhaust pipe. In oneembodiment, a heater is embedded with the exhaust pipe to heat up thecold exhaust flow as it passes through the pipe thereby preventingcondensation from forming on the exhaust pipe.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. As illustrated, this embodiment includes an exhaust pipe102 and an exhaust heater 104. The exhaust pipe 102 has a first end 108that is designed to receive a flow of cold exhaust such as a flow ofGN₂. The flow of cold exhaust is general designated as 106. The flow ofcold exhaust 106 is not limited to GN₂. The present invention applies toany type of cold exhaust that could produce condensation on the exhaustpipe 102. The exhaust pipe 102 has a second end 110 that is designed toexpel the exhaust 106 after it has been heated. Moreover, as illustratedin FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the exhaust pipe as a bend to direct theflow of gas away from a working area or away from the system producingthe cold exhausts flow. Other embodiments of the exhaust pipe do nothave a bend. Still in other embodiments, the exhaust pipe has more thanone bend. Moreover, in some embodiments of the present invention, theexhaust pipe 102 is made from thermally conductive material such asstainless steal, copper and the like. In other embodiments the exhaustpipe is made from non-conductive material.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heater 104 is embedded with the exhaustpipe 102. In particular, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the heater 104 iswrapped around the exhaust pipe 102. In one embodiment, the heater 104is a relatively inexpensive rope or wire heater 104. Other types ofheaters embedded with the exhaust pipe 102 can also be used withembodiments of the present invention and the present invention is notlimited to rope or wire heaters.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram 200 illustrating the processing of exhaust withan exhaust system of the present invention to reduce or prevent theformation of condensation on an exhaust pipe. The process begins bydirecting a flow of cold exhaust into a first end of the exhaust pipe(202). The flow of cold exhaust is then heated (204). As illustrated inFIG. 1, this is done with a heater that is embedded with the exhaustpipe such as an electric wire heater wrapped around the exhaust pipe. Inparticular, the heater transfers thermal energy through the thermallyconductive exhaust pipe to the cold exhaust flow thereby preventingcondensation from forming on the exhaust pipe. The heated exhaust flowis then directed out of a second end of the exhaust pipe (206).

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow diagram 300 illustrating the formation of anexhaust system of one embodiment of the present invention is provided.As illustrated, in this embodiment, a bend is formed in an exhaust pipe(302). As mentioned above, the bend directs the exhaust flow away from aworking area or away from the system that is producing the exhaust gas.A first end of a thermally conductive exhaust pipe is designed receive aflow of cold exhaust (302). The flow of cold exhaust can come from anytype of system that outputs an exhaust. A heater is embedded with theexhaust pipe to heat up a flow of cold exhaust (304). In one embodiment,the heater is a wire heater that is wrapped around the exhaust pipe. Asecond end of the exhaust pipe is adapted to expel the exhaust flow outof the exhaust pipe (306).

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose,may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. An exhaust system comprising: an exhaust pipe coupled to pass a flowof cold exhaust gas; and a heater adapted to heat the flow of coldexhaust gas.
 2. The exhaust system of claim 1, further comprising: theexhaust pipe having a first end adapted to receive the cold exhaust gas.3. The exhaust system of claim 1, further comprising: the exhaust pipehaving a second end adapted to expel the cold exhaust gas.
 4. Theexhaust system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe is made from athermally conductive material.
 5. The exhaust system of claim 1, whereinthe exhaust pipe is made from one of stainless steel and copper.
 6. Theexhaust system of claim 1, wherein the heater is a wire heater that iswrapped around the exhaust pipe.
 7. The exhaust system of claim 1,wherein the exhaust pipe is coupled to pass a flow of GN₂ exhaust. 8.The exhaust system of claim 1, wherein the exhaust pipe has a bend.
 9. Amethod of preventing condensation on an exhaust pipe having cooledexhaust flowing there through, the method comprising: directing a flowof cold exhaust into the exhaust pipe; and heating the exhaust pipe witha heater embedded with the exhaust pipe.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The methodof claim 9, further comprising: outputting the flow of exhaust.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: transferring thermal energy fromthe pipe to the flow of cold exhaust.
 13. The method of claim 9, whereinthe flow of cold exhaust is GN₂ exhaust.
 14. A method of forming anexhaust system, the method comprising: integrating a heater with anexhaust pipe that is coupled to receive a cold exhaust flow.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising: adapting a first end of theexhaust pipe to receive the flow of cold exhaust.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising: adapting a second end of the exhaust pipeto expel the flow of cold exhaust.
 17. The method of claim 14, whereinintegrating the heater with the exhaust pipe further comprises: wrappingthe heater around the exhaust pipe.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: forming a bend in the exhaust pipe.